Improvement in buckles



H. B. WGRCESTER'.

improvement in Buckles.

Patented April 23,1872.

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UNrrn STATES IMPROVEMENT lN BUCKLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,003, dated April 23, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

SPECIFICATION.

Beit known that I, HERMAN B. Wonons TER, ofthe city of Chicago, in the count-y of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful improvement consisting of a Combined Snap-Hook and Buckle, of which the following is a specification:

Nature of the Intention.

My invention consists in forming with any of the comlnon styles of snap a buckle so constructed as to adaptit to its special application in the manner hereinafter described.

General Description.

In the drawing, Figure I is a perspective view of my improved device attached to the end of a strap; Fig. II, a similar view of the device itself; Fig. III, a longitudinal sectional elevation; Fig. IV, a perspective view of the common method employed on reins, &c.

A represents a form of snap in common use, in which a. is the main part forming the hook, and a1 the tongue or spring, which is pivoted at the point a2. B is a buckle, cast in one piece with the snap; C, the tongue of the buckle; b b1, oppositely-curved end guards or braces; and b2, a projection or guard for the better protection of the end` of the stra-p or rein. rlhe tongue C is pivoted at the point c in the slot D, and is formed with a Hat-bottom surface on the pivoted end, which bears upon a corresponding surface at the bottom of the said slot. The opposite end of the tongue takes a somewhat abrupt upward turn in order to obtain two bearings, one on each of the braces b bl. E is a plain strap provided with a single buckle-hole, e.

The operation of the device is as follows: The end of the strap to which the snap is to be secured is preferably cut oli' squarely and a hole punched at a` distance from the end equal to the length of the tongue C outside of the slot D. The end of the strap is then inserted between the braces b bl, directing it up above the top of the buckle until the hole in the stra-p is opposite the tongue. The strap E is then pressed down upon the tongue C, causing the tongue to penetrate through the hole e. The end of the strap is afterward doubled down under the guard b2, which protects it from sight and gives a nished appearance to the attachment. The strap rests upon the tongue on the under side, and is thus held securely between the guard b2 on one side and the tongue C on the other. The strap being' drawn in one direction and the snap held iirmly or drawn in the other direction, the end of the tongue is made to bear upon the braces b b1, and the strain upon said tongue is divided equally between these braces.

The advantages secured by thisiuvention are of value. The three articles ot' snap, buckle, audslide, commonly employed on a rein, as shown in Fig. IV, are embraced in this device, affording a great saving of time and material in its manufacture, attachment, and use, beside giving a more iinished and light appearance to the rein or strap on which it is employed. One important convenience is the facility with which a break in a reinwhich often occurs near the bridle-bit, occasioned by frequent wetting by froth from the horses mouth or from water while he is drinking, which rots the leather-,cau be repaired. It only requires that the strap shall be punched with a new hole for the tongue, when the rein can be again attached to the snap in the manner before described, and will then present the same appearance as at rst. It is simple and durable,

and its cost but a little above that of the ordi-l nary snap and considerably less than that of a separate snap and buckle.

'Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The buckle B, guards b bl, andthe tongue C, formed with two bearing-surfaces, all constructed substantially as described.

2. The guard b2, in combination with the buckle B, constructed as described, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The buckle B, constructed as Adescribed with guards b, b1, and b2, and the tongue C, when the rear portion of the buckle is prolonged, as shown at a, and provided with 'the snap a to form the snap-hook A.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

H. B. WORCESTER.

Witnesses:

C. C. Puck,y Guo. W. MIATT. 

